Unfortunately, if I do not tell you the strangest story that ever was from the beginning, you will not believe me.

I will tell you all I know about the Opera ghost, M.Commissary.

Alas, I do not know much! ..." "Never mind, go on, go on!" exclaimed Richard and Moncharmin, suddenly greatly interested.
Unfortunately for their hopes of learning some detail that could put them on the track of their hoaxer, they were soon compelled to accept the fact that M.Raoul de Chagny had completely lost his head.

All that story about Perros-Guirec, death's heads and enchanted violins, could only have taken birth in the disordered brain of a youth mad with love.

It was evident, also, that Mr.Commissary Mifroid shared their view; and the magistrate would certainly have cut short the incoherent narrative if circumstances had not taken it upon themselves to interrupt it.
The door opened and a man entered, curiously dressed in an enormous frock-coat and a tall hat, at once shabby and shiny, that came down to his ears.